Saturday, March 14
The woman at the well could not understand what Jesus was telling her. She heard his words literally and they made no sense. He asked her to give him a drink, since he was tired and thirsty, having traveled from Judea on his way to Galilee, a three-day journey that took him through Samaria.
In a long conversation, she asks many questions of Jesus who talks of “living water’ and “eternal life.” Finally, she says “I know that Messiah is coming…When he comes, he will proclaim all things to us.” Jesus said to her, “I am he, the one who is speaking to you.”
This is a scene away from crowds, a gentle scene between two people breaking down barriers of nationality and orthodox Jewish custom–the centuries-old feud between Samaritans and Jews; the orthodox Jewish custom that forbid a Rabbi to greet a woman in public.
Our personal conversations with the Lord lead us to break down barriers: seek justice, love kindness, love our enemies. Like the woman at the well, we don’t always understand. We don’t always know how. The time of Lent is so welcome, as it draws us back to deepen our faith…to talk with our God…and to listen.
Prayer: Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. (Chalice Hymnal No. 259)
– Diana Morse